Consolidation FAQ

The plan involves consolidating four schools into three schools located in two buildings. This includes consolidating into one elementary school (grades K-5) and retiring Washington and Lincoln elementary schools. The new school will be located on the same campus as the high school (grade 9-12) and middle school (grades 6-8). In addition, expanding Malcolm Alternative to include grades 7-12 and Virtual Blue online learning.

This consolidation will take place regardless of the bond outcome.  The consolidation will allow for more efficient facilities management and better resource allocation to serve our population of 1,735 students.

The consolidation prioritizes improving student outcomes and ensuring all students have access to the best possible educational programs and facilities. It also aims to optimize resource allocation and address issues related to aging infrastructure, declining enrollment, and loss of revenue from state and federal funds.  In consolidating, the aim is to create better opportunities for collaboration between grade levels, enable more integrated programming for students, reduce operational costs through shared resources and facilities, and allow greater efficiency of staff allocation and specialized programming.

All elementary students will be brought to the main campus, creating a more efficient and effective educational environment. Staff will be reassigned to the new elementary school. The same caring staff and program opportunities will be caring for students in a different location.

The consolidation school will be located at the old Sault Area Middle School, providing modern facilities, improved safety, and enhanced learning environments. It will also allow for better resource management and potential cost savings.

The Board of Education sanctioned a coalition to evaluate the current infrastructure, enrollment projections, program opportunities, support systems, transportation, dining services, and administration availability. The coalition Board emphasizes community support and engagement. Public forums, detailed plans, and financial information will be shared through the district's website, transparency site,  and social media platforms. Community feedback is encouraged.

The plan is set to be implemented following the approval by the  Board of Education. Modification and demolition timelines will be provided once the Board makes a decision of the timeline and plan.

The project will be funded through the general fund. A NO TAX increase bond proposal, which will be voted on by the community, will improve classrooms, fixtures, furniture, technology, and play fields. Detailed cost estimates and financial plans will be available for review if the Board makes a decision to move forward.

The Washington and Lincoln elementary schools will be sold or demolished as part of the consolidation plan if approved.  The school board will explore opportunities to sell, lease, or demolish after the election.  For example, there may be potential for residential development (e.g., Lincoln property could be subdivided into 22-25 lots).  Sale of the building(s) would return properties to tax rolls, generating new revenue.  Decisions will be made with the intent to balance school district needs with broader community benefits.  The Board aims to generate revenue from the sale of buildings and property within the first year. If the sales do not occur, the buildings may be demolished at a collective cost of approximately $1.2 million.

You can attend public forums, visit the district's official website, or contact the Administration Building for information packets. The Board of Education welcomes feedback and inquiries from the public.

Principals will put together collaborative teams to address the barriers and changes in each building to maximize the safety and opportunities for students.

Yes, middle school students will be assigned their own locker, with a combination lock like they are currently assigned. 

All middle school students will eat lunch together in one lunch period. 

Students will have time built into their lunch time to spend time in the gymnasium.

8th - 12th core classes will be upstairs of the academic area. 6th and 7th grade classes will be held on the first floor, along with the middle school office and support staff. 6th and 7th grade students will utilize the bathrooms on the first floor. Some middle school electives will be held in the CTE center. 

All other educational institutes in the EUP are K-12 buildings, unless the school is only an elementary (Moran Twp, Lake Superior Academy), or JKL K-8.

The plan will significantly decrease the walk zone and provide group stop options to allow for safe transportation to school.

Yes, by moving the elementary students to the current middle school building they will receive hot meals cooked on site for both breakfast and lunch. Our middle school building has a full service kitchen that currently serves approximately 100 breakfasts and 400 lunches daily. The on-site kitchen will remove the need to satellite meals from our central high school kitchen allowing for fresh, hot meals for all k-12 students located on the main campus.

Yes, the menu will change for all grade levels, but these changes will drastically improve the options available for our elementary students and will allow for more options available to our secondary students. For our elementary students, parents can expect to see a wider variety of main entree options on the menu, increased access to fruits and vegetables prepared in new ways, and a daily “safe” option for students who may not be ready to explore new foods just yet.
At the secondary level we will explore adding another point of service for students to help decrease the amount of time waiting in line for food. Our serving stations will each offer a different meal option allowing students to choose a meal that fits their tastes. Our food service team looks forward to seeking student input when it comes time to develop these stations and menus. 

The food service team takes special dietary needs seriously and will continue to do so with the consolidation of students onto one campus. Each operating kitchen has a designated space for the preparation of special meals to decrease the risk of cross contamination to our at risk students and these spaces will be expanded with building consolidation. Families with up-to-date accommodation requests on file will be informed of any procedure changes.

The “Free Meals for All” is made possible by the state legislatures, and is passed on an annual basis through the state budget. At this time, no official announcement has been made for future school years, but all community members are encouraged to reach out to their state representatives to encourage the continuation of this program that has made it possible for more students to access school meals.

Athletics will not change in size, nor will the current gym situation. Athletics will continue to share space at the high school and current middle school/new Sault K-5 elementary building. 

Yes, middle school athletics will continue. 

Yes, the School Resource Officer will have an office in both buildings and be readily available for students. 

At Sault Area Public Schools we have security measures such as security cameras, fencing, locked doors/controlled access, as well as protocols for emergencies, fire drills, and evacuation procedures. Staff and students receive safety training throughout the year. 

The primary expense for the reorganization will be the moving costs. Preliminary estimates range from $25,000 to $30,000, based on an external contract with a moving company.

The Bureau of Construction Codes has extended occupancy until December 1, 2025. This extension allows for careful planning and execution of a structural strategy that ensures integrity against drift loads. We will maintain the safety plan that is currently approved by the State of Michigan. The RFP will be posted March 31st and bids awarded April 14, 2025 to be completed over the summer.

The General Fund maintenance budget will cover moving expenses for the 2025-2026 school year.

A bond proposal that does not increase taxes will not generate enough money to cover all of the district's infrastructure needs. The needs assessment will be provided to the Board for prioritization. Initial priorities include replacing the pool with an auxiliary gym, improving locker rooms, classrooms, and offices, creating an accessible playground for our youngest learners, upgrading the VanCitters facility, and enhancing parking lots.

The drawbacks of waiting include the operating costs of both buildings, combined with the loss of revenue due to declining enrollment, state budget cuts, and the federal elimination of resource-generating programs. This would result in fewer programs for students. We aim to maintain all programs started after the pandemic, if possible, including mental health services and additional academic support. 

The parking lot and ADA compliant restrooms at Soo Township are on the priorities list and master plan.